Tourette OCD Alberta Network & Tourette Canada Newsletter - May/June 2025 |
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Welcome to the May/June 2025 newsletter, We would like to especially promote our Family Event at the Edmonton Zoo from 11:30am to 2:30pm on September 20th. It will be a chance for young people to meet and have fun with others with Tourette Syndrome and OCD, and for parents to learn more about Individualized Program Plans (also known as Individualized Education Programs) at the beginning of the school year. Please sign up before September 1st so we can plan accordingly. There will be free admission to enjoy the Edmonton Zoo before and after the event. Lunch will be provided. Our second online Book and Film Group for adults and parents meeting takes place on Zoom on Thursday, June 19 at 6pm. We will be discussing: An Anthropologist on Mars by Oliver Sacks, which was chosen by a participant at our first session. Please sign up (by emailing Julian, or through the event link). If you would like to contribute a short written piece about your lived experience with TS or OCD for our Canadian Perspectives section, please contact me.
Julian Fletcher
Program Coordinator
[email protected] |
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Family Event at Edmonton Zoo: November 15th |
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Family Day Event at Edmonton Zoo on Saturday, November 20. Please sign up below to let us know you are attending! |
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Toronto Conference: November 15, 2025 |
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The Tourette OCD Alberta Network and Tourette Canada, with the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, have organized a conference/workshop that brings together physicians, allied health professionals and people with live experience with Tourette syndrome and/or OCD. With three distinct learning tracks for each group, participants can tailor their experience based on their needs. The workshop will cover a range of topics, and each session will be delivered by researchers and healthcare professionals with extensive expertise and clinical experience. Please go to the Eventbrite link below to find out more details regarding the track that suits your needs, and to book your ticket. There is an early bird pricing incentive. Should you have any queries or questions, please email: [email protected] |
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Trek for Tourette - May 25, 2025 |
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Team Calgary's Trek for Tourette
The sun shone warmly on the Team Calgary Trek for Tourette effort on May 25th in North Glenmore Park. The Calgary trek was well attended and raised needed funds for the national advocacy organization, Tourette Canada. We would like to congratulate Scott Reid who created and led the group, and made the day such a successful one. We hope to continue supporting Tourette Canada’s Trek for Tourette, and truly hope we can build on the success of this wonderful day
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More trekkers taking part in
Team Calgary's Trek for Tourette on May 25th.
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Cumming School of Medicine |
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Second discussion book: An Anthropologist on Mars
Our reading and film group has been created for adults with Tourette Syndrome and/or OCD, as well as parents who care for children with these disorders. This is a welcoming, supportive and judgement-free space where informal discussion of ideas and insights, however they relate to the book or film, are acceptable. The group is designed to foster meaningful conversations and community, and to build connections.
Every second month we choose a book to read or a film to watch. Our aim is to ensure we have an enjoyable, informal hour of conversation, in which those participating feel comfortable enough to discuss how their life experiences or perspectives relate to the chosen book or film.
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Julian Fletcher, the program coordinator of the Tourette OCD Alberta Network, will convene the discussion group. The second book club meet up is on Thursday, June 19 at 6pm MST There is no cost to participating in the book and film group - it is free. Anyone from across Canada is welcome to participate. If you would like to take part in the group, or have any questions, please send an email to Julian at: [email protected]
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Psychologist Moderated Peer Discussion Group |
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Fall Discussion Group
We are currently organizing our peer discussion group dates for the fall.
The group meets weekly for 1.5 hours over a three week period to discuss and listen to each other's lived experience in relation to tic disorders and comorbid conditions. Dr. Jennifer Ference-Belhomme, who has facilitated these groups for the last three years, moderates the discussion. She is a clinical psychologist with the Alberta Children’s Hospital, and has a special interest in Tourette syndrome and neurodevelopmental disorders.
If you are interested in knowing more, please go to TOAN website.
Should you wish to sign up, please email me at: julian.fletcher@ucalgary
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Free Webinars for Adults and Parents
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Complementary and Integrative
Medicine for Tourette Syndrome
For Patients and Parents
September 17, 2025
6:30pm to 7:30pm MDT
Online
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Webinar: Understanding OCD
For Patients and Parents
October 15, 2025
6:30pm to 7:30pm MDT
Online
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What is Comprehensive Behavioural
Intervention for Tics (CBIT)?
For Patients and Parents
November 12, 2025
6:30pm to 7:30pm MDT
Online
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Events for healthcare professionals this spring and fall |
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Tourette syndrome: How to choose between behavioural and pharmacological therapies
For Healthcare Professionals
June 25, 2025
8:30am to 9:30am MDT
Online
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Exposure and Response Prevention for Tics, Part 1
For Healthcare Professionals
September 10, 2025
8:30am to 9:30am MDT
Online
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Exposure and Response Prevention for Tics, Part 2
For Healthcare Professionals
October 15, 2025
8:30am to 9:30am MDT
Online
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Understanding Youth Depression:
Diagnosis and Treatment
For Healthcare Professionals
November 19, 2025
8:30am to 9:30am MDT
Online
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Tourette syndrome:
cognitive restructuring,
self-esteem and social interaction
For Healthcare Professionals
December 3, 2025
8:30am to 9:30am MDT
Online
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Research Study: Partcipants Living in Calgary Required
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Research Study: Social Communciation, and Fluency in Children with Tic Disorders
This study focuses on understanding language, social communication, and fluency in children with tic disorders. Comparatively little is known about the co-occurrence of tic disorders and disorders of speech and language. Research on the relationship between tic disorders, language disorders, and social communication is needed to help improve our understanding of how these conditions relate to one another, and if their co-occurrence influences outcomes.
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The research will provide needed information about the nature of speech and language disorders in young people with tics. Speech and language disorders respond well to treatment, and the research carried out will provide the basis for identification and treatment, as well as improve care for children with these disorders. The study requires: · The patient to complete a 35-minute speech, language and communication assessment, which will be video and audio recorded
· Parents to complete a set of questionnaires Patients participating in the research study will be given an honorarium of a $50 gift card. If you would like to participate in this study, please inquire about eligibility by contacting Dr. Tamara Pringsheim at: Email: [email protected] Telephone: 403 210 6877 This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board |
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Educational Outreach Program for Schools |
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We would like to highlight our free educational outreach program for schools and remind all families that we offer customized presentations for grade specific issues that can be tailored for teachers, parents and students. We can provide information for Tourette syndrome and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder and what that may look like in a classroom setting. Additionally, we can provide strategies and recommendations for educators for their classroom and how that may help students with different needs.
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